The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-08-10
Bids Opened in the Secretary Of the Navy's
Office for Additional Cruisers.
Decision by the Commissioners Of PGtsnts
Relative to the Claims Of Pltentsss.
Report Of Engineer Quinn in Charge Of I'm
proVements for the Missouri River.
Special inspectors Investigating the Ac.
counts of Indian Agent Hall-Post-
masters Appointed-Pensions.

WARRINGTON, August S.-Bids were
opened at noon to-day in the Office OF the
Secretary of the Navy for the construction
of the cruisers last provided tor by Con-
gIess, namely, the Newark No. 1, 1000 tons
displacement; cruisers Nos and 5, 600
tons each, and gun-boats Nos 8 and 4, ZOO
tons each. The heads of several bureaus
OF the Navy Department and number OF
gentlemen representing shipbuilding es-
Establishments were present. The Secretary
announced that bids had been made for all
the vessels at prices well within the limits
prescribed by Congress. The bids were of
three classes: (First) for the hull and
machinery upon the plans OF the depart
ment; (second) hull and machinery upon
the contractors plans; (third) the hull
after the plans of the department and
machinery after the builders on plans ap-
proved by the department.
There was but one bid upon the New
Ark, which was by Wm. Cramp IL Sons
under class one, their price being 81, 24S,-
COO. The union iron works of San Fran
cisco, bid under class one for either crui-
sers No. or at 81, ,42S, 900 VIM. Cramp
& Sons bid upon cruisers No. A. or un-
der class one at 81, 900 each; under class
two at 81 1926, 900 each; under class two
with special notifications at 81, $50 900
each and under class three at 81, 400, 900,
VIM. Crsmp & Sons bid for the two gun
boats at S495,000. and n. f. Palmer & Co.,
of New York, bid for the same at $490, 900,
Secretary Whitney said to an Associated
Press reporter after opening the bids: at
is great relief to my mind getting this out
of the way. The requirements which the
contractors assume are more exacting than
in the case of any previous bidding. The
law fer cruisers number 4 and provides
that the contracts for the construction oi
the last shall contain provisions to the ef-
feet that the contract guarantees that when
completed and treated for speed under con-
ditions to be prescribed by the Depart
ment. the vessel shall exhibit maximum
speed of at least ten knots per hour and for
every quarter knot of speed so exhibited
above said guarantee the contractor shall
receive premium over and above his con-
tract of $50, ,000 and for every quarter knot
said vessel fails of reaching said guaran-
teed speed there shall be deducted from the
contract price the sum of $50, ,000."
The Department has prescribed four
hours run for the trial, the vessel to be
loaded to her mean load draught, so that
there is to be no sbamming in the condi-
tions of the trial. This contract is bid by
both the Union Works and Cramp & Sons,
and it is a requirement which calls for a
boat up to the highest point in the point
Of speed which these cruisers have reached
anywhere.
81 notice that the Cramps offer to guar
antee these res; Its upon their own designs
for 800. 600 less than they ask to do it up.
on the Departments designs. This shoW
confidence in their ability and will drive
off people who are not sure of their ground /;
but consider that we are very fortunate
in being able to place all of the boats with
responsible parties, with these very exact
ing requirements.
1.-THE gun boats are bid for by Mr.. Quin-
tard, one of Mr.. Rosch's assignees, or rath-
by Mr.. Quintard's concern, and if the
award is made to Mr.. Palmer, he informs
me that the hulls will be bnilt at the
Roach works at Chester, and the machin-
cry at the Quintard Iron Works"